November 01, 2010

Dewey & LeBoeuf Brings on IP Partner from Howrey

Dewey & Leboeuf has added intellectual property litigator Joseph Lavelle to its Washington office as a partner. Lavelle, who started today, joins Dewey from Howrey, where he had been a partner since 1982.

Lavelle's practice focuses primarily on patent litigation and matters where intellectual property and antitrust law intersect. He has handled several Section 337 investigations before the International Trade Commission, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. He also has experience with patent litigation in the Eastern District of Texas.

Lavelle said he decided to switch firms for the first time in 28 years because “it was a once in a lifetime opportunity.” He said at Dewey he’ll be working for a firm with “tremendous” opportunities for cross-selling with other practices.

Lavell’s departure makes him the second partner to leave Howrey in as many weeks. On Oct. 25, Bert Reiser, a patent litigation partner, joined Latham & Watkins’ Washington office as a partner.

Robert Ruyak, Howrey’s chairman and chief executive officer, said that the firm has been “doing some restructuring” after posting a dramatic drop in revenue in 2009. He said the firm, which handles almost solely litigation matters, has “gotten back to basics” and placed a renewed emphasis on its three core practices: intellectual property, antitrust and global litigation.

“We have taken a long, close look at our business model and are prepared to go into 2011 in a much stronger position than we were in a year ago,” Ruyak said.